The Spec Workflow MCP server manages intelligent software development workflows by structuring projects into Requirements, Design, and Tasks phases with persistent progress tracking.
- Initialize projects: Set up standardized documentation structure (requirements.md, design.md, tasks.md) for new features or modules
- Track progress automatically: Detect current workflow status and resume from the last completed stage
- Manage task completion: Mark individual or multiple implementation tasks as finished with systematic tracking
- Control workflow progression: Require explicit confirmation before advancing between stages and allow skipping of specific steps when justified
- Support complex projects: Handle multi-module projects with feature-specific documentation while maintaining consistent structure
- Ensure traceability: Maintain systematic links between requirements, design decisions, and implementation tasks throughout the development process
Integrates with Windsurf (Codeium) to maintain high-quality project documentation through a structured workflow approach
Links to the GitHub repository where the MCP server code is hosted, allowing users to access the source code and contribute
Requires Node.js ≥ v18.0.0 to run the MCP server
Available as an npm package for easy installation and updates
Supports installation using Yarn package manager as an alternative to npm
Spec Workflow MCP
Guide AI to systematically complete software development through a structured Requirements → Design → Tasks workflow, ensuring code implementation stays aligned with business needs.
Why Use It?
❌ Without Spec Workflow
- AI jumps randomly between tasks, lacking systematic approach
- Requirements disconnect from actual code implementation
- Scattered documentation, difficult to track project progress
- Missing design decision records
✅ With Spec Workflow
- AI completes tasks sequentially, maintaining focus and context
- Complete traceability from user stories to code implementation
- Standardized document templates with automatic progress management
- Each stage requires confirmation, ensuring correct direction
- Persistent progress: Continue from where you left off with
check
, even in new conversations
Recent Updates
v1.0.7
- 🎯 Improved reliability for most models to manage tasks with spec workflow
v1.0.6
- ✨ Batch task completion: Complete multiple tasks at once for faster progress on large projects
v1.0.5
- 🐛 Edge case fixes: Distinguish between "task not found" and "task already completed" to prevent workflow interruption
v1.0.4
- ✅ Task management: Added task completion tracking for systematic project progression
v1.0.3
- 🎉 Initial release: Core workflow framework for Requirements → Design → Tasks
Quick Start
1. Install (Claude Code Example)
See full installation guide for other clients.
2. Start a New Project
3. Continue Existing Project
The AI will automatically detect project status and continue from where it left off.
Workflow Example
1. You describe requirements
2. AI creates structured documents
3. Review and implement step by step
After each stage, the AI requests your confirmation before proceeding, ensuring the project stays on the right track.
Document Organization
Basic Structure
Multi-module Projects
You can specify any directory: "Use spec workflow to create auth docs in ./src/features/auth"
AI Usage Guide
🤖 Make AI Use This Tool Better
Strongly recommended to add the following prompt to your AI assistant configuration. Without it, AI may:
- ❌ Not know when to invoke Spec Workflow
- ❌ Forget to manage task progress, causing disorganized work
- ❌ Not utilize Spec Workflow for systematic documentation
- ❌ Unable to continuously track project status
With this configuration, AI will intelligently use Spec Workflow to manage the entire development process.
Configuration Note: Please modify the following based on your needs:
- Change
./specs
to your preferred documentation directory path- Change "English" to your preferred documentation language (e.g., "Chinese")
Installation
Requirements
- Node.js ≥ v18.0.0
- npm or yarn
- Claude Desktop or any MCP-compatible client
Install in Different MCP Clients
Claude Code (Recommended)
Use the Claude CLI to add the MCP server:
Claude Desktop
Add to your Claude Desktop configuration:
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
- Windows:
%APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
- Linux:
~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Cursor
Add to your Cursor configuration (~/.cursor/config.json
):
Cline
Use Cline's MCP server management UI to add the server:
- Open VS Code with Cline extension
- Open Cline settings (gear icon)
- Navigate to MCP Servers section
- Add new server with:
- Command:
npx
- Arguments:
-y spec-workflow-mcp@latest
- Command:
Windsurf (Codeium)
Add to your Windsurf configuration (~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json
):
VS Code (with MCP extension)
Add to your VS Code settings (settings.json
):
Zed
Add to your Zed configuration (~/.config/zed/settings.json
):
Install from Source
Then add to Claude Desktop configuration:
Links
License
MIT License
hybrid server
The server is able to function both locally and remotely, depending on the configuration or use case.
Tools
An intelligent MCP server that helps development teams maintain high-quality project documentation by providing an AI-powered workflow for creating comprehensive specifications through requirements, design, and implementation documents.
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